Bomb-proof turret for cars



(NO Model.)

E. H. MOLEOD. BOMB PROOF TURRET FOR GARS.

No. 595,493. y Patented Deo. 14,1897.

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EARL H. MOLEOD, OF COVINGTON, KENTUCKY.

BOMB-PROOF TURRET FOR CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 595,493, dated December 14, 189'7.

Application filed February 11, 1897. Serial No. 622,981. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EARL H. MCLEOD, residing at Covington, in the county of Kenton and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bomb-Proof 'lurrets for Cars, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide an express-car or building with a suspended turret made of armor-plate, which the messenger or guard may occupy for defensive purposes. The said turret is provided with one or more spheres pierced with loopholes to receive a gun and journaled so that they may be turned or gyrated to any desired angle. The object of suspending the turret is to prevent injury or displacement of the turret in case of dynamite explosions.

Various novel features are embodied in the apparatus shown in the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specication, in which- Figure l is a vertical section through a car, showing the turret in elevation suspended therein. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the turret. Fig. 3 is a section through the sphere and its journal-support in the armor. Fig. 4 is a similar section showing a modification of the construction of the sphere with the gun in position for use.

For convenience of illustration I have shown myturret attached to an expresscar in Fig. 1.

A represents the floor of the car, B the side walls thereof, and C the roof. Of course these parts should be substantial, so as to sustain the weight of the turret. D represents the turret, suspended from the roof by bars E. This turret is preferably composed of Harveyized steel and may be made of any desired number of sections; but I prefer to have the parts united by internalflanges a, through which bolts or rivets are passed, so as to strengthen the same.

F represents a door with boltwork f upon the inside. The boltwork is formed entirely on the inside of the door and is concealed from the view of any person on the outside of the turret. By means of the boltwork,

which may be of any suitable or preferred kind, the door may be securely locked from the inside.

G represents a revolving stool upon which the occupant may be seated.

H represents metallic balls or spheres. They are pierced with loopholes I.

J represents segmental sections riveted to the shell K, the concave faces of which form bearings for the balls.

In order that the operator may have a Wider range, the shell K is preferably made convex and projected beyond the walls of the turret. r represents a loophole pierced in the under side of said concave, so as to enable the occupant to shoot downward.y

L represents the top of the turret, which is of conical form. This form prevents the lodgment of a stick of dynamite on the top thereof.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4 I have shown means for closing the loophole, except when the gun is in position, so as to prevent a ball from entering through the loophole from the outside. I prefer to have these loopholes closed automatically. To accomplish this, I provide a door M, hinged in a recess formed in the sphere. N represents a spring secured to the door and engaging the sphere, which normally holds the door closed. This door is of sufcient thickness to withstand the force of bullets discharged from guns. The door is readily opened by the force of the muzzle of thegun being pushed through.

P represents a sight-hole formed by enlarging the loophole above the gun.

While I have shown the turret rigidly suschains or other means, as desired.

My invention is primarily designed to be suspended in an express-canso that the messenger in case the car is attacked can secrete himself therein and be thoroughly protected from injury from gunshots or from dynamite or other explosive Weapons and yet bein position to defend himself and the car. The loopholes afford him means for discharging his weapons in any desired direction.

pended by bars, it may be suspended by y f I have shown four gyratory loopholes. There may be more or less, as occasion requires.

It is obvious that this turret may be used in any room in which valuables are kept and furnish a safe and effective position for defense.

Having described my invention, What I claim isl. A bomb-proof turret having a conical top and suspended from the top of a compartment by anchor-arms E attached to the Vertical Walls of the turret and to the top of the compartment, and a sphere universally journaled in asocket in the Wall of the turret and having a loophole therein, substantially as described.

2. A bomb-proof turret suspended Within a compartment and having' an annular, conveX shell K formed in its Walls and projecting radially beyond the same, and a sphere universally journaled in a socket formed in said shell and having a loop and sight hole, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a bomb-proof turret suspended Within a compartment and having an annular convex shell formed in its Walls and projecting radially therefrom, of a sphere universally journaled in a segmental socket in the said shell and having a loophole, and a door provided with bolt mechanism arranged upon its inner side, substantially as described.

4. The combination With an armor-proof turret, of a sphere universally journaled in a segmental socket formed in the Walls of the turret and having a loophole and a hinged door for closing the loophole, substantially as described.

5. In combination with a bomb-proof turret a ball j ournaled in the Wall of said turret, a loophole pierced in said ball, a door hinged to the said ball in juxtaposition to the outside of the loophole and a spring attached to said ball and bearing against said door Whereby the loophole is held normally closed, substantially as specied.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

EARL H. MCLEOD.

W'itnesses:

NV. R. WOOD, OLIVER B. KAISER. 

